As some Florida families try to figure out their child custody arrangements after a divorce, they might consider shared custody. However, in most cases, shared custody requires parents to have consistent communication as their children move back and forth. If the parents struggle to communicate amicably, this might be a problem. Parallel parenting might be an option they can consider.
Why should you choose parallel parenting?
Parallel parenting is a custody model for parents who want to be involved in raising their children but do not get along well and are not very successful at communicating. While there is some communication between the parents, mostly about major life issues affecting the children, such as education or health care decisions, parents usually do not have to collaborate on the everyday details of raising their children. If they do communicate, those conversations are short and direct and often they are handled through text, email or one of the apps available to help with shared parenting.
Creating a parallel parenting plan
Creating a successful parallel parenting plan revolves around specific information. The more specific you are, the better the chances that the plan will work for everyone. Some of the factors that should be considered as you create a parallel parenting plan include:
- How much time the child will spend with each parent
- How holidays and special events will be handled and divided
- How, when and where custody exchanges will take place
- How the parents will communicate
- How any necessary changes or cancellations will be addressed
- How important decisions about the child’s education, extracurricular activities, health care and emergencies will be made.
Parallel parenting might be the option that helps the two of you successfully raise your children. It can be the parents’ choice or it can be court-ordered if the judge finds it necessary.